11 of our favourite experiential lodges in South America
South America is a destination filled with rich culture, stunning landscapes and welcoming people. The vast continent is home to some of the most beautiful experiential lodges in the world. We’re sharing our favourite luxury properties, chosen by our travel specialists. Whether you are looking for cool hotels in Chile or unique places to stay in Peru, we have the place for you. Be inspired by the best places to stay in the South American wilderness.
Titilaka
Titilaka is a modern experiential lodge situated on Lake Titicaca. While staying at this unique lodge, guests can visit local communities, explore the nearby ruins and hike the many ancient trails in the area. Lodge guides are on hand to help you design the perfect experiences, tailored to you. The luxury lodge employs local staff and all produce is locally sourced wherever possible. Focused on preserving Andean traditions, Titilaka is a great place for the culture conscious traveler. As well as four acres of grounds, two private beaches and an overwater deck, the lodge also has a massage room for soothing sore muscles after a day of hiking.
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica
On the banks of the Madre de Dios River, sits a collection of wooden cabanas, hidden by the rainforest canopy. Home to 540 bird species, Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica is a beautiful eco-lodge inspired by Inca culture. The property has a myriad of activities and excursions on offer. We recommend visiting the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, a bridge system built 30 metres above the ground, as it gives visitors a unique perspective of the Amazon. Experience a guided tour to the heart of Tambopata National Reserve, one of the world’s most remote tropical environments and discover the unique sights and sounds of the Amazon rainforest.
Explora Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley
Enjoy comfort and luxury with direct access to some of the most remote destinations on earth; Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Explora Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley has planned over 30 explorations, each led by a highly knowledgeable guide. The trips are focused on three levels; valley, plateau and mountain. In the Urubamba River Valley, explore Pisac and Moray, among other archaeological sites. In the plateau, you will visit Huaypo lake, farm communities and cornfields. Expect altitudes of between 2,800 and 4,700 meters above sea level for each excursion.
Tierra Chiloé
Tierra Chiloé was inspired by the homes of local fishermen, known as palafitos. Situated on the largest island within the Chiloé archipelago, the hotel is surrounded by evergreen rainforest and is a short boat ride from a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tierra Chiloé’s long list of excursions includes trips to local villages and markets, where guests can try street food and purchase gifts. Other excursions include bike trips around the island and a day spent on the hotel’s yacht. Local farmers and fishermen are championed by the hotel. This can be seen during Curanto, a traditional community event. Meat and fish are cooked outdoors in deep pits before being enjoyed by the community.
Awasi Patagonia
Awasi Patagonia has an enviable location on a private reserve, overlooking Torres del Paine National Park. Here you will discover a place of true tranquillity and adventure. The collection of 12 independent villas are inspired by old Patagonian shelters and ranching outposts. Each villa has oversized windows offering incredible views of Sarmiento Lake and Torres del Paine National Park. A 4×4 and private guide is provided for each villa. This enables visitors to explore this iconic destination at their own pace and with an itinerary tailored to their personal interests. The guide will recommend hikes and trails that most tourists never find. In this idyllic and isolated space, foxes, horses, guachos and pumas are the only neighbours around.
Tierra Atacama Hotel and Spa
Tierra Atacama Hotel and Spa is a luxury boutique property within the spectacular Atacama Desert. It is the ideal place for those who wish to combine adventure and relaxation. Upon arrival at Tierra Atacama, expert guides will personally talk you through the range of excursions and organise a bespoke journey for you. Excursions include everything from horse riding through the desert to exploring the salt-water pools. We recommend biking in the desert, a fantastic way to experience this otherworldly landscape and get around quickly. For a slower paced experience, a scenic trek through the higher altitude desert areas will feel like something out of an Indiana Jones film.
The Singular Patagonia
Set on 100 acres bordering the shores of the Fjord of Last Hope, The Singular is the perfect location from which to explore Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park. The stunning red brick building looks out onto the Fjord. Rustic ideals are carried throughout with floor to ceiling windows, iron beams and artfully mis-matched furniture. Daily guided treks, and cycling excursions are offered to guests staying at the hotel. There are explorations suitable for all ability levels and each afternoon, the lodge’s expert guides meet with guests to explain the different options on offer for the following day. We highly recommend a guided trip into Torres del Paine national park.
Sacromonte Hotel
Experience the beauty of the Uruguayan forest with a stay in Sacromonte Hotel. Here, fantastic wine, expansive vineyards, and a passion for sustainability come together in perfect harmony. The exclusive boutique hotel consists of just four Refugios. The stunning shelters blend into the landscape with reflective glass fronts and wooden accents. Close to José Ignacio, there are plenty of activities for guests to enjoy. The property consists of 250 acres which allows Sacromonte to produce their own wine grown in undulating vineyards. Make the most of your stay by touring the vineyard and enjoying a private wine tasting after a day spent hiking or horseback riding.
La Selva
La Selva Amazon Ecolodge and Spa is located on the border of Yasuni National Park, in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest. The luxury eco-lodge provides the perfect setting for unwinding in the Amazonian wilderness. Inspired by native design, the lodge prides itself on employing local guides who bring life to the lodge’s excursions. Enjoy numerous activities including guided jungle trails, canoe excursions, lagoon swimming, visits to the observation tower and noteworthy parrot clay licks. There are even special tours for honeymooners such as romantic trips down the Napo River and private sunset dinners.
Mashpi Ecuador
Described as a cocoon of luxury in the clouds, staying in Mashpi Lodge is an ethereal experience like no other. Home to 500 species of birds, trees and frogs, which are not found anywhere else in the world, Mashpi Lodge is an otherworldly property. The lodge has incredible experiences for guests, such as a capuchin monkey trail, trips to Magnolia waterfall, sky bikes and a hummingbird garden. With so many things to do, visitors will never want to leave the lodge. However, with the city of Quito just three hours away, you might decide to make the trip. Much of the lodge is made of glass and the wild rainforest presses in on all sides. Without stepping outside, visitors will feel close to nature like never before.
La Bamba de Areco
One of the oldest Estancias in Argentina, La Bamba de Areco is a beautifully renovated boutique hotel that is modern and luxurious with décor that harks back to colonialism. There are many activities for guests of the lodge to enjoy. Experience horseback excursions across the landscape, watch a polo match at one of two onsite polo fields or take a trip into San Antonio de Areco and stroll around the narrow streets, historic churches and museums. Some of our favourite excursions include mountain biking across the hilly landscape and tours of the area in a colonial style horse drawn carriage. Feel as though you have entered another world, whilst a real Argentinean guacho drives the carriage.
